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ThinPrep Cervical Screening is now Medicare Rebatable at Mater Pathology

April 26, 2017

As of May 1st, 2017, Mater Pathology will bulk bill all Cervical Screening requests including ThinPrep™. This means patients will no longer receive out-of-pocket costs for ThinPrep™ cervical screening from May 1st.

This change has been introduced in response to Medicare changing the rebates available for cervical screening tests. Patients will now be eligible to receive a rebate for either a ThinPrep™ or conventional smear, but not both.

Cervical Smears are still available and rebatable, however Mater Pathology strongly recommends all future cervical screening tests be performed using ThinPrep™.

Switching to ThinPrepTM has many benefits including:

​Alignment with the upcoming change to universal based cytology and molecular testing scheduled for December 2017.

Ability to test for HPV.

The current guidelines regarding the use of HPV testing and management, and the limited and specific rebates for HPV testing remain in place. There is no requirement to change your current practice for HPV testing at this time.

​In summary, from May 1st, 2017:

Choose either a ThinPrep™ or conventional smear at no cost to your patient. All eligible patients will be bulk billed by Mater Pathology.

Mater Pathology will continue to offer the same rapid turnaround time and high quality service for all cervical screening.

There is no need to change your current practice regarding HPV testing.

If you would like to discuss this change further or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Rohan Lourie, Acting Director of Anatomical Pathology on 07 3163 8681 or email rohan.lourie@mater.org.au